Paper Airplane Olympics

The Paper Airplane Olympics is a series of five events involving paper airplanes. You will participate in this project in pairs.

Airplanes:

· All airplanes will be built outside of class time or during the test day.

· Only paper and glue can be used to construct planes.

· Any type of paper and glue will be allowed.

· Each group of contestants can bring up to 5 airplanes and different planes can be used for different events.

· Each group will be allowed two launches in each event.

Timeline:

· Introduction to project will be one week prior to testing.

· You will be given one day of class time for testing.

· The following day will be for confirming the entries for the Olympics.

· Events #1 & #2 will be completed after confirming the entries.

· Events #3, #4, and #5 will be completed the next day.

Scoring

· Each event has a top score of 20 points.

· Other scores will be determined by the following method: If the greatest distance is 25m and your launch was 20m your score would be (20m/25m)*20 = 16 points. Scores will be rounded to the nearest .5.

Event #1

The Amelia Earhart: The plane shall be launched from an elevated spot near the east entrance of the school.

· The horizontal distance from the launch position to the first location the plane touches anything is the distance recorded.

· The greatest distance achieved will receive 20 points.

Event #2

The Chuck Yeager: Planes must first touch the floor as close to a predetermined “X” as possible.

· The launches will be conducted as in Event #1.

· The plane that touches the floor closest to the “X” will be awarded 20 pts.

· Other scores will be determined by the following method: If the closest plane touches 2m away from the “X” and your plane touches 4m away from the “X” then your score will be (X-4)/(X-2)*20 = 15 points. Scores will be rounded to the nearest .5.

Event #3

The Wright Flight: Planes will be launched from the mezzanine in the gym. The goal is the longest flight time.

· The time from the launch until the plane strikes any surface will be measured.

· The plane with the longest flight time will be the winner and will be awarded 20 pts.

Event #4

The Harriet Quimby: The idea is to get your plane to execute a series of bobs.

· The launches will be conducted in the center of the gym floor.

· The plane with the highest numbers of bobs will be awarded 20 pts.

Event #5 – Extra Credit

The Jim Marshall: Planes must cross a line 5 m from the launch position, turn and return to the launch point.

· A plane that does not cross the 5m line on the outbound flight or does not land within 5m of the launch point will be disqualified and earn 0 pts.

· The location is determined by where the plane comes to rest not where it hits the ground.

· The plane that lands closest to the launch point is the winner and will receive 5 points.

· Other scores will be determined as follows: Within 2m = 4pts. , 2m-4m = 3pts. , all else 2 pts.